Winter Weather — Coles, Illinois

2011-01-11 · Coles, Illinois

Event narrative

Weather observers across Coles County measured 3 to 5 inches of snow. Due to snow-covered and icy roadways, numerous traffic accidents were reported. The most serious accident occurred on I-57 just north of Mattoon when a semi crossed the median and crashed head-on into a pick-up truck. The driver of the pick-up was killed.

Wider weather episode

An upper-level disturbance tracking through the Midwest brought widespread light to moderate snow to central Illinois on January 11th. Total accumulations generally ranged from 3 to 5 inches, with isolated 5 to 6-inch amounts within two distinct mesoscale bands. The first band stretched from near Galesburg to Peoria, while the second extended from Winchester to just west of Shelbyville. The snow caused numerous traffic accidents around central Illinois, including one on I-57 near Mattoon that resulted in the death of a Neoga man.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 280567. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.